A blog about uplifting, emotional electronic dance music

Music recognition technology for nightclubs

PRS for Music and PPL have expanded their royalty distribution policies to include data generated from music recognition technology in nightclubs.

A small device installed in participating clubs listens to the music played and analyses it against a database of millions of sound recordings to create a highly accurate setlist. This information is then used to distribute royalties to the creators of those recordings and works.

The policy change follows a year-long nationwide pilot project by the two music rights organisations. The project tested the accuracy of the technology in identifying music played by DJs and evaluated how the information could be used to supplement existing royalty distribution methods.

PRS for Music and PPL are calling for more venues to adopt the music recognition devices.

“We are wholly supportive of music recognition technology going into bars and clubs so that the right people get paid,” commented Lohan Presencer, Chairman of Ministry of Sound who has been an ambassador for the project.

“This is in no means a threat to venues themselves because they are already paying a licence fee and the licence fee that they are paying is the same amount of money regardless of what is being tracked in their clubs. This is for the benefit of the creators and it is important that bedroom DJs, bedroom song writers and small independent creators get paid properly for their music.”